7 boys drown in Laguna Bay

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — Seven young boys drowned in a deep portion of the Laguna de Bay in Barangay Bayog here Sunday, police reported yesterday. The fatalities were identified as Genaro Javier, 12; his brother Christian, 10; Anafran Eriberto Perez, 8; his brother Xilender, 10; Elmer Jimenez, 11; Arvix Perez, 10; Edizer Jimenez, 9; all of Barangay Bayog this town.

Their bodies were fished out one after the other off the lake near the vicinity of the municipal building. Retrieved on Sunday were the bodies of brothers Christian and Genaro Javier, brothers Anafran Eriberto and Xilender Perez; and Elmer Jimenez. Retrieved early yesterday morning were those of Edizer Jimenez and Arvix Perez. Both were found with bloated bodies.

Chief Inspector Nestor de la Cueva, Los Baños police chief, said the victims took a bath in the lake after playing basketball in the nearby basketball court in Barangay Bayog at about 1 p.m. Sunday. De la Cueva believed the victims drowned in a deep portion of the lake where there was a strong current. — Rene Alviar